Hungary is becoming an increasingly popular study abroad destination, having gained great credibility over the years and has a very strong tradition in the sciences, particularly medicine. Beyond high-quality education, Hungary also offers a lively and welcoming culture, a fascinating history, and beautiful cities. Read on to learn more about what it’s like to study abroad in Hungary.
Education system
Hungarian higher education has been representing academic excellence for more than 650 years. The first university was founded in 1367 in Pécs, the Southern region of Hungary. Today, there are 64 accredited higher education institutions in Hungary and 4 foreign higher education institutions operating in Hungary with a license, ranging from minor universities of applied sciences to top research universities.
There are 6 state-funded, 37 privately-funded and 21 church-funded institutions to choose from. As a result of our institutions’ internationalisation process all students can find what fits their interests the best: institutions offer more than 700 courses in English, German, French and other languages. The foreign language programmes are of a high standard and tuition fees are very favourable when compared to its competitors.
The range of study fields students can choose from is wide:
- Agricultural science
- Arts Education, Arts, Arts and Humanities,
- Computer Science and Information Technology
- Economic Science
- Engineering Science
- Health Science
- Legal Science
- Natural Science
- Political Science and Public Governance
- Religion and Theology
- Social Science
- Sport Science
- Teacher Training
The largest institutions offer courses in all study fields while smaller institutions have programmes in a few specific areas. Students can earn double degrees at many universities through joint degree programmes in which the Hungarian university works together with another European higher education institution. In case of applying for these programmes students enrol in both universities and obtain a double degree from both institutions.
Higher education studies are offered at two types of higher education institutions, egyetem (university) and főiskola (college), both of them may offer courses in all three training cycles: Bachelor course, Master course and Doctoral course.
Although the degree structure is divided in most courses, there are some integrated (one-tier) programmes where the Bachelor level and the Master level is unified: veterinary medicine, architecture, dentistry, pharmaceutics, law and medicine. These one-tier programmes consist of 10-12 semesters (5-6 years) and by the end of the last year you must have 300 to 360 credits completed.
Within a Doctoral programme, you need to complete 240 credits within 4 years of study. At the end of the fourth semester, a comprehensive examination must be taken. After a successful examination, the last 2 years of the doctoral programme are about conducting the research and writing your dissertation, which can be extended with one more year.
Credit System
The European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) in Hungary ensures the transparency of the learning, teaching and assessment processes by facilitating recognition of your learning achievements and qualifications in many countries throughout the European Higher Education Area. The ECTS ensures that the grades you have achieved can be accepted by other European institutions in other countries.
At the end of each semester, the student’s study achievement is evaluated with a grade in the Hungarian five-grade scale. For incoming international students, a Transcript of Records must be issued that contains a table of completed courses, credits, the Hungarian grade and the ECTS grade.
The number of credits you have to achieve might differ from one institution and course to another in an academic year or semester, so you may need to approach your local international coordinator to obtain the relevant information about this.
The Hungarian academic credit system is an ECTS-compatible system. The calculation of the credits is based on the number of working hours of the students (one credit means 30 student working hours, on average).
At the end of the semester, the student’s study achievement is evaluated with a grade (5-excellent, 4-good, 3-medium or satisfactory, 2-sufficient or pass, 1-fail). The ECTS conversion table ensures transfer procedures between the Hungarian academic credit system and the ECTS. The recognition of courses completed abroad is based on the credit transfer regulation.
For incoming international students, a Transcript of Records is issued at the end of the semester, which contains the code and title of the completed courses, credits, grade, and its ECTS-compatible grade.
ECTS grade compared with Hungarian grading:
Scholarships in Hungary
Scholarships in HungaryErasmus+
If you are from the European Union, you are entitled to apply for Erasmus+ that provides opportunities for education, training, youth and sport.
You can also combine your study period in Hungary with a traineeship to gain work experience as Erasmus+ also offers internships. Opportunities to study in Hungary with Erasmus are available to students at Bachelor’s and Master’s levels, as well as Doctoral candidates. Students with physical, mental or health-related conditions may apply for additional funding after they have been selected to study. You can also gain some volunteer experience in Hungary through this programme for periods of 2 – 12 months or 2 – 8 weeks.
Programme countries:
- countries of the European Union
- + Iceland, Liechtenstein, Republic of North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia and Türkiye
Erasmus+ Traineeship
You can combine your studies with professional practice by taking an Erasmus internship in Hungary for a period of 3 to 12 months or you can only take part in an internship (2-12 months) without doing your studies at the same time. Your internship will be supported with a monthly stipend ranging from €500–€600 depending on the chosen country’s living standards; also it is possible to apply for an extra stipend of € 100 in specific cases.
Programme countries:
- countries of the European Union
- others: North Macedonia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Serbia and Türkiye
Stipendium Hungaricum programme
The Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Programme was launched in 2013 by the Hungarian Government with the mission to increase the number of foreign students in Hungary and to encourage our education institutions to attract foreign students.
Study fields supported by the Stipendium Hungaricum Programme in 2023/2024
- Agricultural Science
- Arts Education, Arts, Arts and Humanities,
- Computer Science and Information Technology
- Economic Science
- Engineering Science
- Health Science
- Legal Science
- Natural Science
- Political Science and Public Governance
- Religion and Theology
- Social Science
- Sport Science
- Teacher Training
Full time studies:
- BA/BSc (undergraduate, 2-4 years)
- MA/MSc (graduate, 1,5-2 years)
- PhD studies (doctoral, 2+2 years)
- One-tier programme (5-6 years)
Part-time studies (one- or two-semester long exchange/part time studies – they can, but do not have to be, be part of the student’s degree studies in their sending higher education institutions)
Non degree programmes (professional and language preparatory courses, specialisation courses)
How does the SH programme contribute to your professional development?
- no tuition fee
- monthly stipend: for Bachelor or Master: cca. EUR 114, for Doctoral programmes: cca. EUR 365
- free dormitory places or contribution to private accommodation: EUR 104
- medical insurance
Study in Hungary announces the actual application call on this website in the autumn season so if you wish to get the latest information about our available programmes do not forget to visit our website from time to time.
Application process for self-financed students
Fee-paying students can submit their applications either electronically through the FELVI system (which requires advanced level Hungarian) or by mailing their documents directly to the institution. Although the application procedure for enrolment may vary at different institutions and courses, in general the process should be the following:
- Find your university and programme
Visit the website of the chosen higher education institution and choose the programme that suits you through our Study Finder.
- Check entry requirements and deadlines
Before you make your decision, always read the entry requirements for the degree programme you are applying for. Application period and exact dates for self-financed foreign students usually vary from one institution to another so first contact the chosen university to find out any relevant information. The deadline for the first round of admission procedures is usually in November for those classes that commence in February while the second round of admission procedures is in February for classes commencing in September.
- Apply online
Fill in the online application form of the programme on the website of the chosen university, then upload or submit the required documents. After submitting your papers, you may be required to arrange an appointment for a Skype interview. Contact the university or the college to find out if there is anything else you need to do.
- Wait to receive confirmation from the university
If you are accepted, you will get a notification from your university around late July and the contact person from the institution will inform you regarding further steps. Fee-paying students are usually required to transfer (part of) the tuition fee prior to the enrolment in the academic period.
Generally, you’ll need the following documents to be submitted:
– an up-to-date CV
– a letter of motivation
– copy of your passport / ID
– proof of language proficiency
– English translation of transcripts of records
– English translation of obtained diplomas
– two academic reference letters
Academic year
The academic year is divided into 2 semesters including 14-15 weeks of lectures and seminars followed by an examination period that lasts for 6-8 weeks.
Autumn semester
- First half of September: registration and signing up for courses
- Second half of September to middle of December:term time (14-15 weeks)
- Middle of December to beginning of February: exam period
Spring semester
- First half of February: registration and signing up for courses
- Second half of February to the first half of May:term time (14-15 weeks)
- Middle of May to the beginning of July:exam period
Holidays
- Autumn break:end of October
- Winter break:end of December
- Spring break:Easter week
Bottom of Form
Comprehensive Universities
Budapest
Arts and Humanities Economic Science Legal Science Social Science
Budapest University of Technology and Economics
Budapest
Computer Science and Information Technology Economic Science Natural Science Social Science Teacher Training Engineering Science
Budapest
Arts and Humanities Economic Science Legal Science Social Science
Corvinus University of Budapest
Budapest
Computer Science and Information Technology Economic Science Social Science
Budapest
Arts and Humanities Computer Science and Information Technology Economic Science Legal Science Natural Science Social Science Teacher Training Sport Science
Eszterházy Károly Catholic University
Eger
Agricultural Science Arts and Art Education Arts and Humanities Computer Science and Information Technology Economic Science Natural Science Social Science Teacher Training
Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (former Szent István University)
Gödöllő
Agricultural Science Economic Science Natural Science Social Science Engineering Science
Kecskemét
Computer Science and Information Technology
Kaposvár
Agricultural Science Arts and Art Education Economic Science Social Science Teacher Training
Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church in Hungary
Budapest
Arts and Humanities Economic Science Legal Science Social Science Teacher Training
Pázmány Péter Catholic University
Budapest
Arts and Humanities Computer Science and Information Technology Legal Science Natural Science Social Science Teacher Training Engineering Science
Győr
Agricultural Science Arts and Humanities Computer Science and Information Technology Economic Science Legal Science Medical and Health Science Social Science Teacher Training Engineering Science Sport Science
Debrecen
Agricultural Science Arts and Art Education Arts and Humanities Computer Science and Information Technology Economic Science Legal Science Medical and Health Science Natural Science Engineering Science
Dunaújváros
Computer Science and Information Technology Economic Science Teacher Training Engineering Science
Miskolc
Arts and Art Education Arts and Humanities Computer Science and Information Technology Economic Science Legal Science Medical and Health Science Social Science Engineering Science
Veszprém
Agricultural Science Arts and Humanities Computer Science and Information Technology Economic Science Natural Science Social Science Teacher Training Engineering Science
Pécs
Arts and Art Education Arts and Humanities Computer Science and Information Technology Economic Science Legal Science Medical and Health Science Natural Science Social Science Teacher Training Engineering Science Sport Science
Sopron
Agricultural Science Economic Science Teacher Training Engineering Science
Szeged
Agricultural Science Arts and Art Education Arts and Humanities Computer Science and Information Technology Economic Science Legal Science Medical and Health Science Natural Science Social Science Teacher Training Engineering Science
Agricultural Science
University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest
Budapest
Agricultural Science
Teacher Training
Vác
Teacher Training
Budapest
Teacher Training
Bhaktivedanta Theological College
Budapest
Teacher Training
Debrecen Reformed Theological University
Debrecen
Teacher Training
Budapest
Teacher Training
Evangelical-Lutheran Theological University
Budapest
Teacher Training
Szeged
Teacher Training
Jewish Theological Seminary – University of Jewish Studies
Budapest
Teacher Training
John Wesley Theological College
Budapest
Natural Science Social Science Teacher Training
Pápa Theological Academy of the Reformed Church
Pápa
Teacher Training
Pentecostal Theological College
Budapest
Teacher Training
Budapest
Teacher Training
Sárospatak Theological Academy of the Reformed Church
Sárospatak
Teacher Training
Sola Scriptura College of Theology
Budapest
Teacher Training
Szent Atanáz Greek Catholic Theological Institute
Nyíregyháza
Teacher Training
Budapest
Teacher Training
Eger
Teacher Training
Theological College of Esztergom
Esztergom
Teacher Training
Győr
Teacher Training
Pécs
Teacher Training
Nyíregyháza
Arts and Art Education Teacher Training
Arts and Art education
Budapest Contemporary Dance Academy
Budapest
Arts and Art Education
Budapest
Arts and Art Education
Hungarian University of Fine Arts
Budapest
Arts and Art Education Teacher Training
Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music in Budapest
Budapest
Arts and Art Education
Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design
Budapest
Arts and Art Education
University of Theatre and Film Arts
Budapest
Arts and Art Education
Arts and Humanities
Pécel
Arts and Humanities
Vajta
Arts and Humanities
Economic Science
Budapest
Economic Science
Budapest
Arts and Humanities Economic Science Social Science
Budapest College of Management
Budapest
Economic Science
Budapest Metropolitan University
Budapest
Arts and Art Education Economic Science
Budapest
Economic Science Engineering Science
Baja
Economic Science
International Business School, Budapest
Budapest
Economic Science
King Sigismund Business School
Budapest
Economic Science
Budapest
Computer Science and Information Technology Economic Science Social Science
Budapest
Economic Science
Budapest
Computer Science and Information Technology Economic Science
Social Science
Ludovika – University of Public Service
Budapest
Legal Science Social Science Engineering Science
Engineering Science
Budapest
Computer Science and Information Technology Engineering Science
Budapest
Computer Science and Information Technology Economic Science Engineering Science
Medical and Health Science
Budapest
Medical and Health Science
Sport Science
University of Physical Education
Budapest
Sport Science
